Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Gothenburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Riga or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Gothenburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Gothenburg?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €103Gothenburg €92
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €103, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is €92. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Gothenburg €38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Gothenburg €76
Compare Hotels in Riga and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Gothenburg? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Riga Hotel Prices and Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Gothenburg €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Transfer service Riga airport: $37
- Transfer from Riga to Tallinn: $283
- Taxi Transfer: $42
- Riga to Vilnius transfer with Sightseeing: $347
- Riga to Tallinn transfer with Sightseeing: $335
- Riga Tank Ride - 2 Hours - Guided with Return Transfers: $1,192
- Riga Return Airport Transfer: $66
- Riga Party Bus Airport Transfer: $382
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $133
- Riga International Airport RIX Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer: $54
- Riga International Airport RIX Luxury Van Private Arrival Transfer: $54
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Gothenburg: $45
- Private Airport Transfer: from Gothenburg to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT): $45
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Private Departure Transfer from Gothenburg City Center to Gothenburg Airport: $79
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $108
- Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Business Car: $130
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $137
- Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Luxury Van: $165
- Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $174
- Limousine Transfer from Gothenburg City To Landvetter Airport 1-3 passengers: $183
- Departure Private Transfer Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport GOT by Minibus: $295
- Private transfer: Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport (GOT): $622
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg and Riga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayRiga €32Gothenburg €36
Typical Food prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Private Guided Virtual Food Tour of Riga: $12
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $34
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $102
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Gothenburg €15
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- "Best of Riga" 6-hour Private Car & Walking Tour: $373
- 2 Day Gastronomy Tour In Latgale: $267
- 2 Day Gauja National Park Tour: $199
- 2 Day Kurzeme Winery Tour: $224
- ATV-QUAD rent and guided tours: $48
- All Inclusive Honest History Tour - Āraiši, Cēsis, Līgatne, Sigulda: $248
- Alternative Riga Photoshoot Tour: $49
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $5.00
- Art Nouveau Small Group Walking Tour of Riga: $193
- Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $57
- Beer Bike Experience: $45
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $231
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Haga Old Town Walking Tour: $44
- Segway City Tour of Gothenburg: $54
- Guided Walking and Swedish Fika Tour: $66
- Fish Church Half-Day Tour: $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €19Gothenburg €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $37
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide!: $47
- Riga Public Pub Crawl: $60
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $64
- Riga Brewery Tour: $83
- Riga Brewery Tour: $83
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $83
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $115
- Gauja National Park Tour: Castles and Wine Tasting: $149
- Culinary, Historic and Wine Tour to Sigulda and Cesis: $224
- Exclusive Latvian Wine Tasting In Riga: $380
- 1.5-Hour Latvian Wine Tasting Experience: $476
When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Gothenburg, we can see that Riga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
When is the best time to visit Riga or Gothenburg?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Riga or Gothenburg in the Summer?
Both Gothenburg and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Riga is around the same temperature as Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July are around 17°C (63°F), and Gothenburg is about 16°C (61°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in July than Gothenburg. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Riga or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Gothenburg. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In October, Riga is generally cooler than Gothenburg. Temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Gothenburg stays around 9°C (47°F).
In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Riga or Gothenburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Gothenburg. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. Riga is much colder than Gothenburg in the winter. The temperature in Riga is usually -5°C (23°F) in January, and Gothenburg stays around -2°C (29°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Gothenburg. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Riga or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Riga is around the same temperature as Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April are around 5°C (42°F), and Gothenburg is about 5°C (41°F).
In April, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gothenburg. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Riga
| Riga | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
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